Colombia: Controversy brews over climate change adaptation project

Sea level rise in Cartegina de Indias, in northern Colombia is estimated at 2-5 millimetres a year. An infrastructure boosting climate change project is on its way to reduce the impacts of climate change. New jobs will be created and constructions will include seawalls, breakwaters and flood barriers to protect the city. However, locals are worried that the the new wastewater management plans which are part of the project would cause potential health hazards and environmental damage, that could harm fish populations as well:

"Wastewater treatment is not being done in primary, secondary and tertiary stages, as would be the ideal; but pre-treated material is being expelled 1.8 kilometres away, where it is dispersed and neutralised by the temperature and salinity of the sea. For now, ACUACAR (Cartagena Water) is sending waste into the sea for the seawater to biologically finish off the treatment," marine biologist Francisco Castillo, an adviser to the Planning Secretariat of Cartagena de Indias, told IPS.